Family Atmosphere

If you were to walk down the halls at ACS and talk to 10 different students about their experience, you’re likely to hear some strikingly similar themes: close friendship, family atmosphere, caring teachers, plenty of opportunity to grow.
 
Connecting with Teachers
Thanks to small class sizes, students at ACS enjoy the benefits of significant one-on-one attention from their instructors. This valuable perk translates to a better understanding of course material and strong ties between teachers and pupils.
 
Parents are encouraged to get to know their children’s teachers, to go along on field trips and participate in other ways. There’s even a “Grandparents Day” when the ACS campus is abuzz with doting grandpas and grandmas going to class with their grandchildren and enjoying a special lunch.
 
Connecting with Friends
Perhaps the best part of a smaller student body is the interaction between the students – they really get to know each other. From an annual retreat for high school students at the start of the school year (during which they go to a camp environment such as The Wilds in Brevard, NC), to pep rallies, to fine arts and sports participation, the opportunities for social growth are endless.
 
Jared Roberts, an ACS from K-5 through graduation as a 12th grader, is quick to point out that the friendships he made with both peers and teachers was invaluable to his spiritual growth. “It’s a big family here. My friends have helped me in my walk with Christ,” he said. “They get me back on track when I need it.”
 
Connecting with the Right Atmosphere
The atmosphere was a good fit for Jared, as he developed strong friendships and benefited from continuity in educational philosophy. He plans to pursue studies in math upon graduation from ACS. The course structure has allowed him to spend more time on the courses he enjoys to gain a solid foundation for college.
 
“I’m glad I’ve stayed in one place for school,” Jared said. “I’ve had a lot of opportunities to get involved here.” Jared speaks highly of his teachers. “They really care about their students. It’s not just a job to them. They really want to see us succeed.”
 
Connecting with Opportunities
ACS graduate, Kristi Janey, was at ACS from K-4. She played basketball, volleyball and soccer, and participated in speech and voice competitions.
 
A member of the National Honor Society, Kristi says she enjoyed the small class size and the one-on-one interaction with her instructors. “The teachers here really care about you,” she said. “They always make time to give you attention.”
 
“It’s was great being here, because I’ve got to know a lot of people involved in a lot of different stuff,” she said. “You get to be involved in so many different things. It gives you a lot of opportunity to be a well-rounded person.”
 
Her favorite activity was volleyball, and she had a lot of fun with her team and coaches. “They encourage you to be a Christian first, a lady second, a competitor third.”
 
Concerning her academic experiences at ACS, “Anatomy class really pushed me. You had to work hard to get it right. I’ve found that the people here really want to help you do well in your Christian life as well as in your academics. I feel like I’m very prepared to go on to the next level.”
 
Connecting with the Right Philosophy
Katie Shepherd, another graduate who was also at ACS since K-4, feels like she’s ready to take the next step in life after high school. “My education has helped lay a solid foundation over the past 14 years, and I think that will be very helpful,” she said. “What I’ve learned at ACS will help carry me for a lifetime.”
 
A Teaching Fellows finalist, Katie plans to pursue secondary English education at a state college.
 
Katie pointed out that the teachers at ACS are all different. “They are very concerned with you, not only as a student, but also as a Christian,” she said. “They’re willing to help you outside of class with projects, or anything you need. They spend a lot of time in study and prep to be ready to teach us the content. You can’t be a good teacher unless you’re first a good learner.”
 
Friends also played a major role in her life at ACS. “I had several friends who had been with me since the beginning and the ones made along the way have been great, too. We get to know each other well through extracurricular activities and we all just have a great time together. It’s a family atmosphere – we’re like brothers and sisters. They became like a second family to you.”
 
Katie appreciated the small class size, the opportunities for involvement, her teachers and the godly impact ACS had on her life. “My parents gave me the choice to go to public school, but I chose to stay at ACS. I think that this school provides an open atmosphere where I could be myself – I was free to be Katie Shepherd.”
 
(Click here to learn more about A Place to Grow.)